Walker joins HR derby

[Cardinals4Life]

STUPID…..he just gets his swing going this season….stupid move

Ahh, relax GF!! I really doubt 1 hour of trying to hit homeruns will ruin hus swing. Enjoy that we actyally have a Cardinal in there. How long has that been??? Pujols, 2009?? I can't remember anyone since.

Pujols was there in 2022. Before that, was Matt Holliday ever there?

Yes, Holliday made an appearance, and didn't do great, but did hit a 500' shot.

1985 Jack Clark
1997 Ray Lankford
1998 Mark McGwire
1999 Mark McGwire
2003 Albert Pujols
2003 Jim Edmonds
2007 Albert Pujols
2009 Albert Pujols
2010 Matt Holliday
2011 Matt Holliday
2012 Carlos Beltran
2015 Albert Pujols
2022 Albert Pujols
2026 Jordan Walker

Thanks for the list!

[Cardinals4Life]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

There is no correlation between the two.

[greyhawk]

It is nice to have a little national exposure. Not going to say it will ruin him, but yes I do have some reservations about it. But still, it’s a nice honor for Walker to be part of this and the AS game in general. He’s earned it.

Stupid move. Too fragile still. Repeat a season like this next year and the year after and then go try to launch HR at the circus

You really think he’s that fragile? The kid went from elite prospect to one of the worst hitters in baseball for 2 years in a row, got sent down twice, and it didn’t break him. He’s probably one of the strongest players mentally in the game.

+1 it’s silly to think his season will be derailed because of the home run derby lol the home run derby is basically batting practice players take batting practice everyday he’s not suddenly going to start thinking he needs to a home run every at bat

+2 -- as noted if he isn't mentally tough by now he never will be plus he's 24 and in probably as close to his peak physically as he ever will be. As others stated this has to have been a dream, let him have some fun as he likely isn't going to play much in the actual game.

Plus he has went into what two or three slumps where the sky is falling fans said that’s it he’s lost it he’s reverted back to his old ways he’s done then he gets hot again but I’m sure he will slump again at some point in the second half and the sky is falling fans will say see the home run derby screwed him up then he will start hitting again. Walker has righted himself after every slump all year the derby won’t derail him

The St Louis Icarazzi --- flying too close to the sun again.

[Ozziesfan41]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Lol so your theory is unless every player who participates in the home run derby unless they have a monster second half then it’s the home run derby’s fault? What about all of the players who had better second halves than first halves who participate in the home run derby do you attribute their successes the second half to participating in the derby? By your logic then the home run derby could cause walker to have an even better second half

[DogtownBarney]

I am happy for the guy! I just hope his pitcher doesn't throw any sliders on the outside corner

[mariontt]

This HR derby isn't like HR derbies of the past. Contestants get 20 untimed swings in the first round. If they homer on the 20th swing, they get a 21st swing and keep swinging until they don't hit a homer. The following rounds are 15 swings plus bonus swings if they homer on the 15th swing.

I could see this format being more like their typical batting practice and less likely to cause mechanical problems. They aren't going to be swinging the bat 30-ish times in 60 seconds like before.

[dhsux]

I am happy for the guy! I just hope his pitcher doesn't throw any sliders on the outside corner

I'm very happy for him but wish he was just as happy to pass on doing it.

But it's easy for me to say that.

[KingKahn]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Wow you mean players sometimes cool off and struggle late in the season after months of grinding? Who would’ve thought?

Now list the hundreds of players who cooled off after the AS break who did NOT participate in the HR derby or AS game.

It’s superstitious nonsense. It’s glorified BP. Nothing more.

[Goldfan]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Lol so your theory is unless every player who participates in the home run derby unless they have a monster second half then it’s the home run derby’s fault? What about all of the players who had better second halves than first halves who participate in the home run derby do you attribute their successes the second half to participating in the derby? By your logic then the home run derby could cause walker to have an even better second half

What started JW demise his Rookie Year?? The cards sent him back down to work on lifting the ball….too many balls on ground. And he’s been screwed up since then. Up until 3 months ago…….
But now CT wants him to go multiple timed rounds with whole world watching where the ONLY goal is to hit the ball over the wall…….what could go wrong

[sikeston bulldog2]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Lol so your theory is unless every player who participates in the home run derby unless they have a monster second half then it’s the home run derby’s fault? What about all of the players who had better second halves than first halves who participate in the home run derby do you attribute their successes the second half to participating in the derby? By your logic then the home run derby could cause walker to have an even better second half

What started JW demise his Rookie Year?? The cards sent him back down to work on lifting the ball….too many balls on ground. And he’s been screwed up since then. Up until 3 months ago…….
But now CT wants him to go multiple timed rounds with whole world watching where the ONLY goal is to hit the ball over the wall…….what could go wrong

What could go wrong is he hits few home runs in his minute; and he’s done.

[Goldfan]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Lol so your theory is unless every player who participates in the home run derby unless they have a monster second half then it’s the home run derby’s fault? What about all of the players who had better second halves than first halves who participate in the home run derby do you attribute their successes the second half to participating in the derby? By your logic then the home run derby could cause walker to have an even better second half

What started JW demise his Rookie Year?? The cards sent him back down to work on lifting the ball….too many balls on ground. And he’s been screwed up since then. Up until 3 months ago…….
But now CT wants him to go multiple timed rounds with whole world watching where the ONLY goal is to hit the ball over the wall…….what could go wrong

What could go wrong is he hits few home runs in his minute; and he’s done.

This isn’t McGwire, this isn’t Pujols, Griffey, Thome, Bonds…….
JW couldn’t hit MLB pitching 3+months ago. I wouldn’t mess with his swing.

[Futuregm2]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

Lol so your theory is unless every player who participates in the home run derby unless they have a monster second half then it’s the home run derby’s fault? What about all of the players who had better second halves than first halves who participate in the home run derby do you attribute their successes the second half to participating in the derby? By your logic then the home run derby could cause walker to have an even better second half

What started JW demise his Rookie Year?? The cards sent him back down to work on lifting the ball….too many balls on ground. And he’s been screwed up since then. Up until 3 months ago…….
But now CT wants him to go multiple timed rounds with whole world watching where the ONLY goal is to hit the ball over the wall…….what could go wrong

What could go wrong is he hits few home runs in his minute; and he’s done.

This isn’t McGwire, this isn’t Pujols, Griffey, Thome, Bonds…….
JW couldn’t hit MLB pitching 3+months ago. I wouldn’t mess with his swing.

lol, do you think he’s going to turn into a pumpkin and lose his magic slipper?

[craviduce]

Jordan Walker is "READY"

[RamFan08NY]

STUPID…..he just gets his swing going this season….stupid move

I'm with you.

I disagree. I dont think golfers are hurt when they spend 45 mins on the range trying to gain yardage.

Has the HR derby actually ever ruined a player?

I do know this much. If Wsljer starts the second half in a slump, CT we ill certainly blame the derby.

[Clubmaker2]

JIm Edmonds 2003

1st half
28 hr , 26 2bs, slug .668

2nd half
11 Hr, 6 2bs, slug .507

[Futuregm2]

JIm Edmonds 2003

1st half
28 hr , 26 2bs, slug .668

2nd half
11 Hr, 6 2bs, slug .507

Yes, he had 2 ridiculously good months that year (April and June). He hit .244 over the first 13 games of July before the AS break. He went through a 3 for 32 slump after the AS break, which was similar to his 4 for 37 slump he had in May that same season, which was his worst month of the season. After that slump he had a .965 OPS (.593 SLG%) the rest of the season.